The Turtle Island Park is also known as Pulau Penyu National
Park.
The Park comprises of three islands:1- Pualau Selingan,
2- Pulau Bakkungan Kecil
3- Pulau Gulisan

The park gained its popularity from the green and hawksbill turtles
which lay their eggs on the beaches of the islands.
All the three islands are protected within marine parks on both
sides of the Malaysian and Philippine borders.
The turtles lay their eggs all year round but are more common
between July and October when the seas are calmer.

"We are confident that the number will reach the normal
1,000 tourists a day..."

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassimtold reporters after visiting the security control
post
in Selingan Island on Monday, 04 August 2014

The number of tourist arrivals to Selingan Island in
Pulau Penyu National Park is returning to normal following the
government's move to increase security control in the east coast of
Sabah, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri
Shahidan Kassim said. Right now, the number of tourist arrivals to
the island stood at between 700 and 900 people daily.

The Pulau Penyu National Park consists of three islands, namely
Selingan, Bakungan Kecil and Gulisan.

However, accommodations for visitors and tourists are only available
in Selingan Island.

Turtle Island ParkTurtle Paradise

Turtle Islands Park is 40 km north of Sandakan
Town. It encompasses an area of 1,740 hectares which includes the
three islands of Pulau Selingan,
Pulau Bakkungan Kecil and
Pulau Gulisan;
the sea and surrounding coral reefs.

Main AttractionThe main
attractions here are the turtles which come to nest on their shores. Pulau
Selingan is the main nesting area for the green turtles chelonia mydas,
while the hawksbill turtles Eretmochelys seem particularly attracted to
the shores of Pulau Gulisan. Both species lay their eggs on these shores
throughout the year, although the best months are between July to October.
The islands were gazette as Marine Parks in 1977 primarily for the
protection of these two species in order to save them from extinction.

Nesting : The turtles take their time laying their eggs. The whole ritual of emerging from the sea, then choosing a suitable site
and clearing the area before laying about 100 eggs ; concealing the eggs with
sand and finally taking their leave takes one whole hour!

Almost every
night mother turtles come up and lay their eggs, after digging a hole in
the sand. Each mother turtle lays about 100 eggs. The project workers
then go around behind the turtles and remove the eggs as they are laid,
and the mother turtle has no knowledge of this. When the turtle has
finished, she covers the hole thinking the eggs are inside.

When it was found
that turtles came to this island every night to lay eggs in, the island
was turned in to a sanctuary project and hence Turtle Island.

The eggs are then
placed in a hole in the yard of the sanctuary and filled in with sand
and given a protective fence around the top. 7 weeks later when the
turtles emerge, they are removed from their fenced in area and let
safely in to the water.

The turtles ID
marking was read, and notes were taken and the turtle fill the hole and
return on its own.

The small Turtle
Island has a nice beach, but couldn't sit on it long due to the sand
flies. When nightfall, mother turtles comes. The turtles can come as
early as 7pm, or as late at 2am.

Baby turtles are
released at night. Everyone get a chance to hold one for a couple
minutes. The proper way is to hold it between 2 fingers. These little
guys instinctively know that its time to go to the water, and are doing
everything in their power to get there. So while you're holding them,
they're flipping wildly. The back flippers have almost no power, but the
front ones have strong pull as it is about 3-4 inches long.

Getting there

The best way to visit the Turtle Islands is through one of
the many reputable tour companies in Sabah. Alternatively, and sometimes works
out a little cheaper, is to go out with Corel Island Cruises which run a boat
service to the island. The only difference is that you will be unguided. Turtles
nest all year round, but the best times to visit the islands are between July
and October when the seas are calmer. Apart from the Turtle Islands, the other
attractions in the eastern region include the Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre,
Sepilok Forest Reserve, Australian War Memorial and further a field, the lower
Kinabatangan river which is one of the best places to see a wide array of
wildlife from the comfort of the boat!

Pulau Selingan : 8 hectares in size
and is the second largest
of 3 islands. The turtles come ashore on the east and southwestern parts
of the island to lay their eggs before returning to the sea. They normally come
ashore after 7. 30 pm but have also been seen nesting in the early hours of the
morning between 5 to 6am.

Accommodation is available on the island for those who wish to stay overnight to
witness the nesting. A restaurant is also available for visitors to enjoy hot
meals.

Pulau Bakkungan Kecil : This is the largest island and it lies close to the
Philippines border. Active mud volcanoes are also present here. These are not
true volcanoes but originate as mineral-rich mud, expelled from deep below the
surface. The favorite nesting places of the Green Turtles are the beaches on
the northern and western shores of the island.

No accommodation facilities on Pulau Bakkungan Kecil.

Pulau Gulisan : This
smallest island is only 1.6 hectare in size but remains one of the
favorite haunts of the hawksbill turtles which lay their eggs on the northern,
eastern and southwestern beaches. All sea turtles eat marine animals such as
sponges, marine worms and molluscs and the hawksbills are no exception. Being
carnivorous, they feed on the invertebrate animals of the coral reefs. The adult
Green Turtles however, are strict vegetarians, limiting their diet to the
underwater grass and seaweed.

A Fisheries Department staff in Semporna district was on his way
home on Tuesday 15th April, 2014 when he saw four dead sea turtles
floating at the sea between Bum-Bum Island and Kulapuan Island. He
then took pictures and posted on his Facebook.

Top of list of suspects is the seaweed farmers. The re-occurrence of
conflict between sea turtle and the seaweed farmers has been
recorded since 1990s.
Between Bum Bum Island and Semporna town areas adjacent to Tun
Mustapha Marine Park have been the favorite foraging habitat of
Green Turtles long before the boom in seaweed farming. Sea turtle is
a pest to seaweed farming; they can destroy the entire seaweed farm
overnight.

Seaweed farmers are fed up complaining about damages from sea
turtles and if they can, will take revenge by harming the animal.

• Wander along the beach after dark. (The Park Ranger will inform
you when there is a turtle laying eggs.)

• Build campfires, shine bright torches on the beach, sing, dance or play music
on the beach at night.

• Disturb the turtle during the nesting process by coming too close or crowding
around her. Instead, visitors re advised to watch the nesting from a distance.

• Under any circumstances, ride on the turtle, pull her flippers, turn her over,
jump on her or injure her physically. Such acts of abuse may have adverse
effects on future nesting returns.

• Night photography is strictly forbidden on Pulau Selingan but allowed on the
other two islands with permission from the Park Ranger.

• Collecting any plant, animal or other living or non-living things is strictly
forbidden without prior written permission from the Director of Sabah Parks.
Fishing, however, is permitted with hook and line only.

• PLANNING AN ITINERARY

A visit to these islands is a must on your itinerary, if you are interested in
the conservation of these turtles.

• ACCOMMODATION FACILITIES

Chalets

3 units (fully furnished) for 20 persons per night.

Reservations for accommodation can be made at:

Crystal Quest Sdn. Bhd.
Tel : 089-212711
Fax:089-212712

The islands are built over shallow rocky
shoals from coral shingle from the surrounding reef on the fringes. They are
covered with a variety of plant life which includes mangrove, lantana, the
yellow-flowered sophora and the furry silver-leaved Tournefortia.

Hatcheries : Park staff collect the eggs and
transfer them to hatcheries where
every effort is made to ensure successful hatching. After an incubation period
of about 50 to 60 days, the hatchlings dig their way up to the surface and they
are later released to the sea from different points around the islands. They are
then on their own, to survive the dangers at sea and perhaps return one day to
lay their eggs on the very same shores as their mother once did.

When to go

Turtles lay eggs throughout the year, but more common between
July and October when the seas are calmer.

Access

By boat to Pulau Selingan from Sandakan town. No public boat
services are available. You have to go through the Parks office or arrange a
visit through a tour company.

Permits

Compulsory. Permits and accommodation can booked through the
Sabah Parks Office in Sandakan. Alternatively, trips can be arranged through
tour operators who will arrange the permits, travel and accommodation.

Equipment

Sun and sea. But snorkeling and diving opportunities are
limited. A torch is handy, but may not be used when watching turtles nesting.

Facilities

Overnight accommodation, visitor center and a restaurant only
at Pulau Selingan. The facilities have been privatized and accommodation
limited. You really have no choice but to go with a tour company.

Nature

The sea turtles (Green and Hawksbill turtles) are the star
attractions. Dolphins may be sighted outside the Sandakan Bay.

Visitor Activities

Turtle-watching, snorkeling, and limited bird watching.

• HOW TO GET THERE

There are boat services from Sandakan Harbor to the islands. The journey may
take anything between 45 minutes to 3 hours depending on your destination and
the boat's speed.

• GUIDELINES FOR VISITORSThe park was created to protect the natural environment especially the sea
turtles, the coral reefs and other marine life. There are therefore stringent
rules which visitors are advised to observe.

ENQUIRIES

Crystal Quest Sdn. Bhd.

Wisma Khoo Siak Chiew
12th Floor, Room 1204

P.O.Box 848 Sandakan, Sabah

Tel: 089-212711
Fax:089-212712

E-mail: cquest@tm.net.my

Located 40km north of Sandakan (approximately an hour boat ride from Sandakan city) in the Sulu Sea off Sabah's east coast is the Turtle Islands Park. It is made up of three islands, namely Pulau Bakkungan Kecil, Pulau Selingaan and Pulau Gulisan. Encompassing some 1,740 hectares, the islands are built over shallow rocky shoals from coral shingle from
the surrounding reef on the fringes.

The islands boast a myriad of flora, including mangrove, lantana and the furry silver-leaved Tournefortia. However, the real stars of the island are the turtles, which come to nest the shores. Pulau Selingaan is the main nesting area for the green turtles (Chelonia mydas) while the beautiful hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys) tend to flock to the shores of Pulau Gulisan. The turtles lay eggs throughout the year,
although the best months are between July to October. The islands were
gazette as Marine Parks in 1977 for the protection of these two species to prevent them from extinction.

The harvesting of turtle eggs from this area began before the colonial days. Over-harvesting led to the decline in egg
production but was not until 1971 that the turtles were given any form of legal protection. In 1977, the islands and its
surrounding seas were handed over to the Sabah Park Trustees and hence came about the Turtle Island Park.
The best time to visit is during the driest month and the calmest seas between the months of March and September. Avoid October
to February as this is when the islands receive the northeastern monsoon windstorms.
For more information please contact Sabah Tourism Board at 088-212121 or Sri Pelancongan Sabah at 088-232121.

At one time, Rantau Abang (Terengganu), was one of the most
famous sites in Malaysia to see nesting sea turtles. Chiefly, the Giant
Leatherback turtles would return to this region to breed once a year. Sadly, due
to the pressures from marine pollution, accidental killings in fish nets and
hunting, the numbers of leatherbacks have diminished and even fewer return today
to Rantau Abang. On the other side of Malaysia, in Sabah, pioneering efforts by
the State Government in the 1960s has shown more encouraging results. By
gazetting a marine park around a number of important turtle breeding sites and
establishing a protected hatchery for turtle eggs, the Government of that time
made an important step to safe guard the future of sea turtles. Today, the
Turtle Island Park, Sandakan remains one of the premier sites in Malaysia to
observe nesting sea turtles. The most common nesting sea turtle seen here are
the Green Turtles.

Turtle Island Park consists of a number of uninhabited
islands lying within the Sulu Seas, off the east coast of Sabah. Turtle Island,
or Selingan Island, is the largest of these islands and has been developed to
house the park's headquarters, a visitors centre, basic tourist facilities and a
turtle hatchery. The other islands are usually off bounds to the casual visitor.
The nearest mainland town to the park is Sandakan. This was the former capital
of Sabah, and was once in the mid-1970s, the heart of a "seemingly" booming
timber industry. The town today is probably most renown for the Orang Utan
Rehabilitation Centre (Sepilok), which is located on its outskirts.

A boat trip from Sandakan to the Turtle Islands usually
takes about an hour by speed boat. If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of
Irrawaddy Dolphins, which are bold creatures and are often found feeding within
the Sandakan Bay. One thing that often strikes visitors is the stilt houses
built over the shallow waters of the Sandakan Bay. This kind of community is
common throughout the East Coat, and presumably is a cheap way to make a home,
but where else would you stay when you earn a living from the sea. Upon
approaching Selingan Island, don't be surprised if you cannot make out much
signs of inhabitation on the island and begin to wander if you are being dumped
on a deserted island! The island has been developed carefully, and the
facilities are neatly tucked away in the centre of the island, keeping the beech
vegetation intact.

Turtle landings usually occur after dusk. The park has a
sensible policy of allowing visitors to see only one landing a night. This
allows undisturbed nesting to go on throughout the night. Whilst waiting for
the evenings highlight, all that is left to do is to laze around the beach or
snorkel. The west side of the island is ideal for this. They are clean, quiet,
and offer some interesting coral and sea life for a decent days snorkeling.
Have a wander around the island and you'll be surprised how many turtles have
landed in the last few days, their tracks, like mini-tractors, remain in the
sand for a number of days. There is a small visitors centre, which is highly
recommended, and is open later in the evening. You will not only learn about sea
turtles but also of the different parks in Sabah and its unique nature.

The evening's programme begins after supper, when the wait
for the first landing begins. If you are lucky this could be right after
dessert! Once a landing has been sighted by the Park Rangers, the rangers will
escort visitors to the nesting turtle. Remember not to shine your torchlight's
on the nesting mother, as it is stressful on the turtle.

After the eggs been laid, they
are removed and planted within the turtle hatchery. This ensure that wild
predators such as the monitor lizards do not get to the eggs. After a period of
incubation the eggs hatched and young turtles are released back to sea. As soon
as they are mature enough to mate they will return to Turtle Islands.